Police arrest suspect in Castle Shannon home invasion, robbery

CASTLE SHANNON, Pa. — Authorities have arrested a suspect accused in an armed home invasion and robbery at a Castle Shannon apartment early Tuesday morning.

Investigators said the armed robbery happened inside of an apartment on Cooke Drive.

Channel 11 News was there when officers from Castle Shannon, Mount Lebanon and Scott Township investigated.

Investigators said the homeowner, 34-year-old Jeffery Morris, had two friends come by to visit sometime after midnight. As the two men were leaving his home, Morris said they were met by the suspected robber who had two guns.

Police said all three men were forced back into the apartment by the man, who then ordered them to the floor and demanded money.

“The man forced them all back inside, spread them out on the living room floor and demanded cash,” Castle Shannon Police Chief Ken Truver said.

At some point during the confrontation, police said the robber, who investigators later identified as Jonathan MacCowan, pistol-whipped Morris in the head and hand.

Investigators said a neighbor heard the scuffle and called 911, then yelled that the police were on the way. At that point, MacCowan fled the scene with two other men he came with, police said.

"There was some noise, somebody said they were calling the police and at that point, the actor fled,” Truver said.

According to emergency dispatchers, Morris was taken to Saint Clair Hospital to be treated for a cut on his head. The other two men were being interviewed as witnesses, said police.

“When officers arrived, they found that there was a male victim bleeding from the head,” Truver said.

Officials said Morris required stitches to close a gash on the top of his head.

Castle Shannon police said they have had contact with the victims involved the incident in the past and believe that all parties involved know each other in some way.

“We believe that the actor knew at least some of the individuals inside the apartment,” Truver said.

Castle Shannon police told Channel 11’s Alan Jennings that MacCowan and the two other suspects, 20-year-old Justin Pordash and 23-year-old Travis Hickly, planned their attack.

Police said Pordash and Hickly were arrested shortly after the incident, and MacCowan was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said MacCowan’s charged with carrying a firearm without a license, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, criminal conspiracy and recklessly endangering another person.  Pordash and Hickly were charged with robbery and conspiracy.

WPXI